Late on this quiet Saturday afternoon, members, alumni, University and Ithaca City officials gathered as a monument was dedicated to honor not only the first Cornellian (and lthaca resident) to give his life for his country, but also the grand gesture of a soon-to-be U.S. President and battle hero to honor his fallen fellow officer and fraternity brother from the Battle of San Juan Hill.

Clifton Beckwith Brown '00, a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, left the course of his Cornell studies at the outbreak of the Spanish American War to secure our national safety by serving as a reserve officer in Company M of the 71st New York Regiment. Brown died in combat at the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898, becoming the first Cornellian casualty of war. Recognized as Cornell's first "martyr" by the University and his classmates, Brown's sacrifice was honored by the creation and consecration of a grand bronze frieze by the celebrated memorial sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt.

On June 20, 1899, then New York State Governor Theodore Roosevelt, a member of DKE Fraternity at Harvard, visited the Cornell campus to plant two Norway spruce trees at the Lodge in memory of his fallen comrade, fellow soldier and fraternity brother, Brown. They stand today as a tribute to Brown's sacrifice and are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Trees.

Proud of its accomplishments and tradition, the DKE alumni, joined by its supporters in the Ithaca and Cornell communities, placed a stone monument and plaque to commemorate the centennial of Brown's sacrifice, Roosevelt's remembrance and the trees planted in Brown's memory.

DKE Alumni Chairman and member of the Cornell Council Donald Weadon '67 noted that "thanks to members of the Cornell community and the citizens of Ithaca, the DKE Lodge - the work of Cornell's first graduate architect (William Henry Miller) and whose elegant library is a monument to Brown's sacrifice - was recently recognized as an Ithaca historic landmark, having long been listed on the National and New York State register of historic places." The mighty Norway spruce trees now tower over the historic mansion and have been recognized for their history and listed on the New York State Register of Historic Trees.

Donald A. Weadon Jr. '67
with Brown Memorial


Close-up of the Brown Memorial

At the dedication ceremony, Weadon observed "Our men and our cadre of alumni have long honored Brown's example of national service, sacrifice, and adherence to our DKE values," adding that "we have mobilized these values to bring our institution (now in its 134th year as an institution on the Cornell campus and member of the Ithaca community) to a state of performance where our members have been awarded the Cornell Best Chapter award regularly for over five years. In fact, we have won every award for excellence offered by Cornell and our National organization, and have been recognized for this excellence by three living U.S. Presidents whose congratulations adorn the walls of our Lodge."

Representing the only memorial in Ithaca to commemorate sacrifice in the Spanish American War, the DKE House will long be a vibrant part of Ithaca's history. "Our intensive program to fund the continuing restoration of the Lodge is one that all Cornell Dekes support," said Weadon, "and we are gratified that so many of our constituents in the community have supported today's modest effort to recognize this important piece of Ithaca and Cornell history. The values of sacrifice and commitment to our community and nation are under pressure these trying days, and we want this to stand as a reminder that they are alive and well in this corner of the Southern Tier!"

Here is the full text of the memorial speech given at the dedication on June 12, 2004:

We welcome our alumni, community and university friends to the DKE Lodge on this beautiful Summer day to pay tribute to the values which embody the best of us all.

Values such as sacrifice, service and honor. In an imperfect and uncertain world, they stand like a rock. And they are the foundation upon our institution -- now in its 135th year on the Cornell campus -- is built. Values which live in our men and our lives.

Over a century ago, our young nation was confronted with a grave threat from an antique adversary. When the Spanish American conflict erupted, the youth of our country rushed to its defense. And a young man, Clifton Beckwith Brown, left his studies at Cornell to confront the conflict. Without training and bearing arms left over from the Civil War, Brown led a company of fellow New York State volunteers to the shores of Cuba, where under the command of his fellow Deke, Theodore Roosevelt, he sought the high ground. And fell in combat. He died fighting for his country. His sacrifice is emblematic of what has made this nation great from its earliest days -- the citizen soldier, the Cincinnatus who rises to the challenge but lives in peace.

The value of honor is also reflected in the events we remember this day. Brown's commanding officer and fraternity brother, Theodore Roosevelt, came to this grassy slope a century ago to honor Brown's sacrifice by planting the two mighty Norway spruce trees which tower above the Lodge Brown loved, gracing us with their beauty and gracious shade. With the rains and snows of Ithaca, they have been nourished, they thrive and will continue to grow with the years.

The badge of the honorable man is his capacity for remembrance of the sacrifices of others. The then governor of this great State demonstrated yet another great DKE value by his grand gesture of remembrance.

And now let us consider the value of service. It is what binds us together as citizens of a great nation, and is a value which is resident in this particular corner of our country. Ithaca is a town which cares for its residents, its history, and its beauty. Cornell is a University which values service to the community and nation, and its graduates lead the Ivy League in their contributions back to their alma mater, their community, and their country.

We do brother Brown -- and all Americans who sacrifice in the protection of our nation -- honor by our gathering today in our act of remembrance.

Through the efforts of our Alumni Board, notably the efforts of my brother Frank Pinter, we have erected today a modest memorial to share with all who pass this Lodge our celebration the centennial of Brown's sacrifice and Roosevelt's remembrance.

The memorial should stand for another century to remind all of the core values of our Fraternity. The plaque reads:

On June 20, 1899, then New York State Governor Theodore Roosevelt, DKE A '80, planted these two norway spruce trees in the memory of his fallen comrade, Clifton Beckwith Brown, DKE DC '00, who left his studies at Cornell to serve as an officer in Company M of the 71st New York Regiment immediately upon the outbreak of the Spanish American War. Brown died in combat at the Battle of San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898, becoming the first Cornellian to give his life for his country. These trees stand as a tribute to Brown's sacrifice and are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Trees.

Dedicated June 12, 2004 - By the Grateful Alumni of DC of DKE

Let us share a moment of silence in joyful remembrance of all that which has brought us together today and the life of a young man who the entire Cornell community deemed "Cornell's first martyr."

Article from the Ithaca Journal July 5, 2004

More Photos from the Brown Memorial Here